Beyond our outstanding CLE sessions, the NAPABA Convention offers specialty programming designed to provide hands-on, in-depth learning from top experts. These immersive workshops go beyond the basics, equipping participants with practical skills and actionable insights to advance their careers.
We’re seeking proposals for these dynamic specialty tracks:
International Law Symposium – Dive into global legal topics like IP, national security, and dispute resolution with diplomats, judges, and business leaders. Presented by the International Law Committee on Thursday.
Young Lawyers Workshop – Designed for early to mid-career attorneys, tackling real-world challenges like work-life balance and career growth. Presented by the Young Lawyers Network on Thursday.
Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp – Tailored for solo and small firm practitioners, covering business development, firm expansion, and legal strategy. Presented by the Solo & Small Firm Committee on Thursday.
Law Student Workshop – A two-day boot camp helping law students develop essential career skills through interactive sessions and expert-led discussions.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Bay Area Asian American General Counsel network (BAAAGC) were proud to celebrate and honor the achievements of more than 200 Bay Area Asian American general counsel, a historic high, at this week’s 2025 BAAAGC x NAPABA Celebration. The event, which was held on February 27, 2025, in San Francisco, honored the leaders of the legal departments of a diverse range of companies and organizations including nationally and globally recognized brands such as AMD, Bill.com, Broadcom, Coinbase, Databricks, Google DeepMind, Impossible Foods, Instacart, Juniper Networks, Recology, Reddit, Ross Stores, SurveyMonkey, Unity, VF Corporation, and many more.
“The 2025 BAAAGC x NAPABA Celebration demonstrates the incredible progress that the Bay Area Asian American in-house legal community has made to break through barriers that have long stymied advancement to the top echelons of the legal profession, as we have long identified in our Portrait Project,” said Thy Bui, President of NAPABA. “NAPABA is grateful to this group of incredible Bay Area lawyers who truly are global leaders for their companies, their industries, and our bar.”
“BAAAGC is incredibly proud of this landmark achievement,” said BAAAGC Co-Chairs Irene Liu, Thomas Chow, and Stephen Mar. “In 2017, we celebrated the milestone of reaching 100 Bay Area Asian American general counsels. It is encouraging to see that our numbers have more than doubled since then, and we look forward to seeing that growth accelerate.”
With nearly 450 attendees, the celebration acknowledged a remarkable milestone for Asian American general counsel and the important role that bar organizations such as NAPABA’s Northern California and Bay Area affiliates (including Community Sponsors: Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area, Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley, Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, and the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California) play in fostering mentorship, learning, connections, and professional development to ensure that Asian American lawyers have equal opportunity to serving in leadership roles.
All net proceeds from the event, generously sponsored by leading national firms and companies, are earmarked for two worthy causes. First, they will support the next iteration of the Portrait Project of Asian Americans in the Law, which is the ground breaking, systematic account on how Asian Americans, including in-house counsel and law firm lawyers, are situated in the legal profession. Second, the proceeds will create the Bay Area Asian American General Counsel Summer Public Interest Fellowship at UC Berkeley School of Law to support the work of law students supporting the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.
Happy Lunar New Year! A huge thank you to AABANY, PBCS, AAFE, and all our incredible volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise at the February 5th pro bono legal clinic in Queens. Their commitment to serving the community made a meaningful impact, providing much-needed legal assistance to those in need. Our volunteers met with 12 clients, addressing questions related to housing, matrimonial and family law, and torts.
We extend our gratitude to our special guest speaker, Vishal Chander, for delivering an insightful “Know Your Rights” training. His presentation provided attendees with crucial information on their rights when encountering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities. Vishal also generously stayed to assist with complex questions regarding immigration sponsorship and divorce, further supporting our community members.
Here are some of the clients’ comments:
“Thank you for additional resources for mothers returning to the job force.” “Thank you, Shirley [Luong].”
Thank you again to our amazing volunteers:
Volunteer Attorneys
Beatrice Leong
Gary Yeung
Johnny Thach
Kevin Hsi
Lord Chester So
May Wong
Richard In
Vishal Chander
Yan Lian Kuang-Maoga
Interpreters & Shadowers
Miao Wen
Xiaocen Zhang
Xuxia Zhao
We are deeply grateful for everyone’s contributions and look forward to continuing this important work together! Please come back and join us at our upcoming clinics:
March 8, 2025 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:00 – 3:00pm, CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232
April 2, 2025 [Queens link here], from 6:00 – 8:30pm, One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Applications are now open for NAPABA’s Leadership Advancement Program. This experiential program provides Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) attorneys a unique opportunity to develop and harness their leadership style and foster deep and lasting connections with their peers, including both in-house counsel and law firm attorneys.
This exclusive, year-long experience is designed to transform rising AANHPI attorneys into bold, confident leaders.
This isn’t just another leadership program—it’s your chance to:
Discover your leadership style, sharpen your strengths, and understand your weaknesses
Master the art of communication, listening, and influence
Overcome challenges with confidence and strategic thinking
Connect with 24 peers who will become your advisors, champions, and lifelong community
This is YOUR time. If you’re ready to lead with purpose and power, don’t wait! Spots are limited so take the first step into becoming the leader you’re meant to be by submitting your application.
The program is designed for developing mid-career AANHPI attorney leadership skills. Enrollment in the program is limited to 24 participants, with an even balance between IHC and law firm attorneys. All NAPABA members are encouraged to apply, although the selection committee will focus on the following criteria this year:
Law firm candidates: preference for candidates with between six and 10 years of experience.
In-house candidates: preference for a minimum of three to four years of IHC experience, with six to 10 years of overall practice experience.
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Board of Governors has approved and welcomed the Oklahoma Asian American Bar Association (OKAABA) as an affiliate of NAPABA. Founded in 2024, OKAABA is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the interests of Asian American attorneys and legal professionals in Oklahoma.
“We are delighted to welcome the Oklahoma Asian American Bar Association to the NAPABA community,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “This addition to NAPABA underscores our unwavering commitment to empowering and advocating for the diverse communities within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations across the nation. OKAABA’s dedication to the legal profession, community service, and advocacy strengthens our shared mission to uplift the AANHPI community, and we look forward to building a meaningful and impactful partnership together.”
“The Oklahoma Asian American Bar Association is thrilled to link arms with the NAPABA as we foster a sense of community, empowerment, and purpose,” said Jacqueline (Jacki) Phelps, OKAABA’s president. “OKAABA’s central purpose is rooted in the notion that there is unity in diversity, and, indeed, it is our diversity that gives us strength. As we all are currently navigating difficult and uncertain times, partnering with NAPABA amplifies that purpose as we work together to empower our communities both within the legal profession and without.”
The Oklahoma Asian American Bar Association joins a community of approximately 90 local, state, regional, and national bar associations in the United States and Canada that are affiliates and national associates of NAPABA. The affiliates hold certain voting rights under the NAPABA Bylaws, and individual members of the affiliates are entitled to complimentary NAPABA membership and the benefits that accompany it. For more information about how to become a NAPABA affiliate, please visit our webpage and learn more here about the benefits of becoming a NAPABA member.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.
Before the start of this new year, I wrote to you and shared not only my gratitude for an incredible 2024, but also our commitment to advance NAPABA’s mission heading into 2025. Though we are merely two months into the new year, we have already witnessed several developments that impact NAPABA’s work and the broader Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community.
On his first day in office on January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued executive orders that jeopardized the constitutional guarantee of citizenship for all persons born in the United States, the right to seek asylum, the refugee resettlement system, and the LGBTQ+ community, among others. NAPABA swiftly condemned these actions, which ran counter to our values. Since then, the federal government has enacted a slew of policies, which have already drawn significant concern for the rule of law, in addition to attacks on lawful diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives both within the federal government and the private sector.
When it comes to our values, our words of disagreement are not enough. NAPABA is charged to promote justice and equity for the AANHPI community. My team is closely monitoring developments from the federal government, and we are working with stakeholders, coalition partners, policymakers, and others to respond appropriately.
NAPABA is prepared to act. I have outlined below, in broad strokes, our intended course of action and how you can get involved. In the coming weeks and months, and with your partnership, we plan to meaningfully support our community and actively counter policies that detrimentally affect the AANHPI community.
I. Direct Support for NAPABA Affiliates and National Associates
NAPABA stands ready to deliver financial support to our affiliates and national associates for their work in the community. As leaders in their respective regions, affiliates and national associates can act as trusted messengers delivering pivotal information and services to their members and broader AANHPI communities. We will prioritize projects that speak to the challenges today: for example, educational seminars on the state of immigration, pro bono initiatives to support heightened immigration needs of the Asian American population, funding language translations for educational materials and resources, and local and state advocacy efforts that align with NAPABA values and positions. To apply for funding, please visit our website.
Building on the work of the NAPABA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, we plan to create toolkits for our affiliates and national associates. They will include resources to advance the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and immigration resources such as hosting naturalization clinics and the creation of attorney directories that address priority areas like immigration law.
II. NAPABA Engagement with Policymakers
The NAPABA Policy Team leads our engagement with stakeholders and policymakers at the federal and state levels. We advance our policy priorities, whether it be in our opposition to anti-Asian hate and discriminatory alien land law policies to our support for voting rights. Now, as our engagement will necessarily go deeper, we are investing in an expansion of our Policy Team.
Plus, the planning is well underway for our upcoming Lobby Day, which is scheduled for May 20-21, 2025, in Washington, DC. As the largest AANHPI advocacy effort on Capitol Hill, NAPABA Lobby Day will bring our members from across the Nation to the halls of Congress to demonstrate not only the strength of our community, but also to advance the critical issues facing the AANHPI community. Our members will meet with Congressional offices on both sides of the aisle to highlight the causes important to us and our communities. Your voice is pivotal. For more information on Lobby Day and to register, please visit our website.
III. Narrative Change and Education In the coming weeks and months, NAPABA will highlight how recent actions from the federal government not only impact our communities, but also the critical role that the AANHPI communities played in the development of the rights that we cherish today. Whether it be on birthright citizenship, the right to asylum and the refugee resettlement program, or the barriers that our community faces in the legal profession, NAPABA will uplift those stories and our history, which are intertwined with the fabric of American life today. Please be on the lookout through our social media channels, our website, and email for additional educational resources and programming. These efforts will be on top of the multitude of informative programs during the Nation’s largest convening of legal professionals: the NAPABA Convention in Denver, Colorado, on November 6-8, 2025.
NAPABA has an exceptionally talented and enthusiastic full-time staff, but we cannot carry out our work without you. The strength of NAPABA is comprised of passionate and energetic volunteers like you. As I mentioned above, here are some ways where you can get involved:
WASHINGTON – Recently, President Donald Trump named Mark T. Uyeda as the Acting Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Acting Chairman Uyeda. He is the first Asian Pacific American to serve as a Commissioner on the SEC and to lead the SEC.
“Over the course of two decades, Acting Chairman Uyeda has built an impressive track record of expertise and commitment to public service,” said Thy Bui, President of NAPABA. “Dedicated public servants like Mark T. Uyeda are critical to safeguarding the integrity of our nation’s financial system.”
Acting Chairman Uyeda has served as an SEC Commissioner since 2022. His distinguished service spans over fifteen years as a career public service attorney, including in senior leadership at the SEC, as Securities Counsel on detail to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, roles at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Labor, and key positions in government and private practice.
Acting Chairman Uyeda earned his undergraduate degree in business administration from Georgetown University in 1992 and his law degree with honors from Duke University in 1995, where he was a member of the Duke Law Journal. The child and grandchild of Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II, he has been an active member of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander legal community, including serving as a past president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, D.C. Area (APABA-DC). In 2023, NAPABA awarded him with the prestigious Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award.
### The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.
On Monday, January 27, 2025, AABANY members, friends, and family—40 attendees—gathered at Madison Square Garden to celebrate Lunar New Year while cheering on the New York Knicks as they faced the Memphis Grizzlies. The night began with a graceful rendition of the national anthem by Asian musicians, highlighted by the melodic sounds of the erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument. The Knicks burst onto the court with energy and precision in the first half, electrifying the crowd with their dynamic teamwork and securing a 60-52 lead heading into halftime.
At halftime, the celebration captivated the crowd with a traditional lion dance performed by the New York Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club. The vibrant colors, rhythmic drumbeats, and graceful movements filled the basketball court, offering viewers a glimpse into Chinese culture while spreading wishes of good luck for the Year of the Snake.
Once the second half got underway, the Knicks took complete control of the game, putting on an offensive game that left the Grizzlies struggling to keep up. Their ball movement was seamless, players found their rhythm with ease, and the shots kept falling from every angle. On the defensive end, the Knicks were relentless—challenging every pass, forcing turnovers, and locking down Memphis’ top scorers. The spirit and intensity in Madison Square Garden was contagious as the Knicks cruised to a dominant 143-106 blowout victory. The commanding performance was a perfect way to celebrate the Lunar New Year and left fans cheering well into the night.
For the third consecutive year, the Knicks won their Lunar New Year game with AABANY in attendance—a lucky streak we hope continues! A big thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the Year of the Snake. Together, we embraced the spirit of community, tradition, and joy, making it an evening to remember. Go Knicks!
A huge thank you to AABANY’s co-sponsoring committees—Academic, Asia Practice, Commercial Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Immigration Law, Labor & Employment Law, Membership, Mentorship, and Student Outreach—for their support in making this event a success. Their dedication and collaboration brought the community together for an unforgettable evening filled with camaraderie, culture, and celebration. We also welcomed a few friends from one of our sister bar associations, the Jewish Lawyers Guild. We were delighted that they came out to celebrate the Lunar New Year at Madison Square Garden with us.
The AABANY Winter Soiree, hosted by the In-House Counsel Committee and the Corporate Law Committee, stands as one of the premier networking events of the year for senior in-house attorneys and law firm attorneys. Now in its 15th iteration, the Winter Soiree has evolved over the years, previously known as the Summer Soiree and the Wine Tasting and Networking Reception. This year’s invite-only event was held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Le Chalet, a cozy, ski-lodge-inspired lounge set within the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue, providing an elegant and intimate setting for an evening of meaningful connections and professional camaraderie.
Bringing together approximately 150 attorneys, the Winter Soiree offered a unique opportunity for professionals across industries to engage in insightful discussions, explore potential opportunities, and strengthen relationships within the legal community. With breathtaking views of Midtown Manhattan from the venue’s balcony and an inviting indoor ambiance, the evening was truly unforgettable.
The Winter Soiree brought together a distinguished group of senior in-house counsel along with senior attorneys and partners from leading law firms. Fourteen general counsels were in attendance, from financial services, insurance, retail, health, pharmaceutical, and real estate industries. This made for a dynamic networking environment, where professionals had the chance to reconnect with familiar faces and build new relationships, across a wide range of companies and legal practice areas. AABANY extends its gratitude to the many companies that participated, with a special mention to the following, representing a variety of fields:
Apple Inc.
Barclays
Blackstone Inc.
J.P. Morgan Chase
Meta
Ralph Lauren
Uber Technologies, Inc.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
Wells Fargo
The event commenced at 6:00 PM, welcoming guests with an exquisite array of hors d’oeuvres, fine wines, and cocktails. Conversations flowed as attendees exchanged experiences, discussed industry trends, and formed new connections while strengthening existing ones. A highlight of the evening were the welcoming remarks delivered by the Co-Chairs of the In-House Counsel Committee, Anushree Bagrodia from MasterCard and David Sohn from J.P. Morgan Chase. They shared insights into the Committee’s ongoing efforts in support of AABANY’s mission to advance the legal profession and advocate for the AAPI legal community.
David and Anushree then introduced representatives from the Winter Soiree’s Platinum sponsors. James Walker from Perkins Coie, Jayun Koo from Haynes Boone, and Jennifer Wu and Josephine Young from Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP all shared their deep appreciation for AABANY’s work in championing diversity, fostering professional growth, and building a more inclusive legal community. Joining this group was Ken McClure of Broadridge Financial Solutions, AABANY’s Diamond Sponsor. All the sponsors emphasized how much they value supporting AABANY’s mission, acknowledging the impact the organization has made in advancing the careers of Asian American attorneys and contributing to the broader legal profession. Their remarks reflected not just the significance of events like the Winter Soiree, but also AABANY’s ongoing commitment to driving positive change.
Closing out the remarks was John Hwang, Co-Chair of the Corporate Law Committee and Partner at Linklaters. He spoke about his Committee and their activities and also thanked the gold and silver sponsors of the Winter Soiree.
AABANY extends its deepest gratitude to the Winter Soiree sponsors whose support made this event possible:
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the In-House Committee, led by Co-Chairs Anushree Bagrodia, David Sohn, and Kazuko Wachter, as well as the Corporate Law Committee and its Co-Chairs John Hwang, Keli Huang, Alice Hsu, and Tracy Feng, for their support. A special thanks to the dedicated staff and interns—Yang Chen, Executive Director; Alice Biagini, Deputy Executive Director; Apollo Baltazar, Administrative Assistant; and interns Kevin Louie and Kiran Raval—whose hard work and assistance were instrumental in ensuring the success of the evening.
The Winter Soiree began to wind down about two hours after it started, coming to a successful conclusion as our guests made their way out of Le Chalet to brave the New York City winter chill. Thank you to everyone who attended, and we look forward to bringing the legal community together at future AABANY events! To see more photos from the event, go here.
Jennifer Wu, Founding Partner at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, stands as a trailblazing figure in the legal profession. Her leadership style of empathy, advocacy, and innovation has redefined what it means to be a transformative leader in law. Throughout her career, Jennifer has achieved remarkable milestones while staying determined in her commitment to justice.
Her expanding list of accolades reflects a relentless pursuit of equality and excellence. From her work fighting for the rights of marginalized communities to her pioneering efforts in intellectual property litigation, Jennifer’s influence goes far beyond her legal achievements. She has become a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for colleagues, mentees, and the communities she serves, proving that true leadership is about lifting others as you rise.
Jennifer’s dedication to her craft and her community is reflected in the diverse and prestigious awards she has received over the past year:
Jennifer’s growing list of awards is more than a reflection of her professional excellence; it is a testament to her dedication to justice and her ability to bridge communities through understanding and action.
Jennifer Wu’s journey as an advocate stems from her childhood experiences as the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants. From a young age, she took on the responsibility of helping her family navigate cultural and language barriers. “As an immigrant kid, you always have that,” she reflected. “Your mom needs you to ask for directions to a grocery store… or get on the phone to explain health insurance because their English was not as good.” These formative experiences shaped her lifelong dedication to helping others. This foundation of service became the cornerstone of her legal career and advocacy efforts.
This commitment to helping others informs Jennifer’s approach to her advocacy and legal career. Whether assisting families affected by anti-Asian violence or guiding immigrant clients through challenges, she treats each case as personally as if it involved her own family, “That is fundamentally just helping people as if they’re your own family.” For Jennifer, true success is measured by the lives she improves, not by the accolades she receives. Her dedication to treating clients with care and respect truly highlights her belief that advocacy is rooted in genuine human connection.
Jennifer’s leadership style is collaborative and empowering. She emphasizes creating an environment where others can grow and excel. “I don’t like to micromanage,” she said. “I want people to think for themselves and learn from their mistakes. That’s how you create leaders who can step up and take charge.” As a founding partner of her firm, Jennifer takes this mindset into every aspect of her work. “I walk into every room with the mindset of an owner,” she said. Her leadership philosophy demonstrates how empowering others and taking ownership can inspire teams.
One of the most touching examples of Jennifer’s advocacy is her work with Eva Zhao, the widow of Zhiwen Yan, a Queens delivery worker who was tragically murdered while on the job. After her husband’s death, Eva faced immense fear of deportation and struggled to support herself and her young children. Jennifer stepped in to offer both legal and practical assistance. Jennifer shared,“We’ve been helping her try to get her U visa.” A U Visa helps victims of serious crimes who have been hurt and are helping the police or authorities with their investigations. For Eva Zhao, whose husband Zhiwen Yan was tragically killed, this visa could protect her from deportation and provide her family with safety and stability. “The act of actually helping is the reward,” Jennifer emphasized. “The awards are just tokens; the relationships are what truly matter.”
Jennifer’s leadership attitude and authenticity were also evident at a recent event hosted by AABANY’s Women’s Committee on Monday, December 16, 2024, titled “Building Your Own House: Balthazar Breakfast with Jennifer Wu.” Held at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, the breakfast was an intimate gathering that allowed participants to hear Jennifer reflect on her journey. Moderated by Aileen Huang and Ananya Pillutla, associates at Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP, Jennifer discussed her career path, including her decision to create her own firm: a “house” where equity and inclusion thrive, with a partnership that is 50% women. To learn more about Jennifer’s recent breakfast event, click here.
Jennifer continues to redefine what it means to serve with integrity and exemplifies the power of using one’s platform for good. Her journey serves as an inspiration, proving that change begins when we lead with purpose and compassion.
